London manager Ciaran Deely has hailed the influence of Owen Mulligan on the squad.

The former Tyrone star is now based in the British capital and has transferred to the Fulham Irish club.

He recently turned out briefly for their hurlers, which makes him eligible for London’s Connacht Championship meeting with Leitrim on May 28.

Deely explained: “I spoke to Owen back at the beginning of March, he had come over to London, I went down to Clapham, met him, and we had a chat.

“He is over for the time being anyway, I don't know whether he will be in London long-term. I just said to him about coming in, even if it was to help some of the young players, to give his experience.

“To be honest I've been really, really impressed with him as a person and how he approaches Gaelic football.

“He clearly loves Gaelic football still at this age, he has been brilliant with the younger lads, he is always there to give advice.

“At no stage has he come in to say these training facilities aren't up to scratch or you need to do this or that.

“We've trained in the centre of an athletics track at different times, the surface is scandalous if you compare it with a proper GAA pitch.

“There has been no problem with him that way at all, we are really happy to have him involved.”

Deely cast doubt whether the 35-year-old triple All-Ireland winner would be physically ready to appear for the Exiles in the Championship, however.

He added: “He is probably a long way being up to scratch being physically able with some of the lads, speed off the mark, sharpness, stuff like that so I don't know if he will be involved at any stage.

“But even just to have him in and around the squad, he has been brilliant with that, we are really happy with him.”